LOUIS VAN GAAL admits he is envious of both Chelsea and Manchester City and dreams of reaching their level in the Premier League.

Van Gaal's Manchester United are five points behind rivals City and six off table toppers Chelsea, but are chasing them down after winning five straight games.

And, ahead of United's home tie with Liverpool this weekend, Van Gaal conceded he is slightly jealous of his top-four competitors.

"I dream for Manchester City’s place or Chelsea's place," he told MUTV. "Now we have to live match for match and that is the most important thing. We have to beat Liverpool which is more important than thinking about City or Chelsea."

United lost 3-0 in this fixture last season, their first Old Trafford defeat to Liverpool since March 2009.

The Merseysiders have slumped in form since their second-place finish in May but Van Gaal is adamant Brendan Rodgers' men are primed for a top four finish.

"What is a surprise in England? Anything can happen. Every match in the Premier League is a difficult match.

"I still think Liverpool can fight for the top four places and still I have belief in that team because they have fantastic players but they also have a lot of injuries which is not so easy to manage."